Otter Amazement

Before attempting to cross the path I was on, this fellow stared at me, gathering information. If you see otters in Humboldt, you can describe the encounter here. This is a citizen science project that allows HSU to describe “the distribution and demography of otters on the coasts, wetlands and watersheds in Humboldt and Del Norte counties.”

According to the web page, Otters are a “key bio-indicator of the health of our environment as they sit at the top of this water-based food chain. Unlike most otter habitats around the world, it is thought that the Pacific north coast still supports a thriving otter population.”

Kym.. Great! Ihave not seen otters in the South Fork for many years. I’m sure part of the reason is that I no longer fish here but I suspect there are fewer than, say, 20 years ago. I would have whole families playing around me as I fished in those days and there was always a family around Rocky Glen and Ohman Creek. I still look for them. More eagles, less otters. Less fish is probably the problem.

I still see quite a few otters upriver from Benbow, maybe not as many as twenty years ago. Even a few years ago, the otters were living and using the Benbow lake in numbers. I think they hide better these days.

I still see quite a few otters upriver from Benbow, maybe not as many as twenty years ago. Even a few years ago, the otters were living and using the Benbow lake in numbers. I think they hide better these days.